Cambridge International AS Level

ENGLISH GENERAL PAPER 8021/21

Paper 2 Comprehension October/November 2020
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 50

Published

This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.

Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.

Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.

Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2020 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE™, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and some
Cambridge O Level components.

This document consists of 12 printed pages.

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Generic Marking Principles

These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.

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GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5:

Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.

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Question Answer Marks

1(a) Explain four factors which might make Lexa consider going to see Road Trip to Nowheresville. 8

You should not refer to the other film.

Credit any valid material. Candidates are at liberty to interpret any of the data provided in other ways from those suggested
below.

They have known each other a long time so their friendship might be more important to her in the end rather than
entertainment choices.

She hadn’t said anything last time she didn’t like the film and might keep quiet again this time, despite the assertiveness
training, as she has only just started it.

She laughed off the experience of the awful film last year/she obviously liked being in his company the previous time –
which could sway her final decision.

Remembering that Hansi had been having a hard time at work, she might well think that he needs to see something light-
hearted after all.

According to the film company’s write-up and one reviewer, the witty dialogue in this film sounds clever enough to amuse
her this time.

She might bear in mind her brother’s advice to lighten up and think a comedy would do her good.

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Question Answer Marks

1(b) Explain what factors might make Hansi consider going to see Voyage to Jupiter’s Moons. 8

You should not refer to the other film. Do not repeat any material used in 1(a).

Answer in continuous prose.

Credit any valid material. Candidates are at liberty to interpret any of the data provided in other ways from those suggested
below.

They have known each other a long time so friendship might be more important to him than entertainment choices in the
end (if not given in 1(a)).

He is very excited that they are going to the cinema together, so he might decide that he does not want to rock the boat by
insisting on his film choice

It is difficult to arrange meeting up, so he might not want to lose the opportunity to have a catch-up with Lexa.

He is very apologetic when he finds out that Lexa really didn’t like the last film they saw together so this might push him to
compromise in the end.

He had the choice of film last time so he might come to the conclusion that it would only be fair to let Lexa choose this time.

As Hansi is a keen composer of music, he would probably have noted in the press release that soundtrack is an important
feature of this film.

He might also be tempted to go to this film as he might pick up ideas about special effects and film techniques that could
help his vlogging career.

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Question Answer Marks

1(b) In assessing the answer, award marks for a coherent appraisal, clearly expressed of three or more considerations that
make use of analytical skills. See Levels Table below.

Level Marks Descriptors

4 7–8 • Capacity to interpret evidence and sustained ability to present relevant arguments, analysis and
exemplification maintaining a strong focus on the main issues in the question.
• Comprehensive approach demonstrating ability to identify and select relevant information, data,
concepts and opinions and maintain a strong focus on the key issues.
• Shows the ability to communicate clearly and accurately in a fluent and organised manner.

3 5–6 • Moderate range of arguments, analysis and exemplification covering some of the main issues in the
question.
• Demonstrating some grasp of the nature of key issues but with a restricted range or a loss of focus
leading to the inclusion of some irrelevant material.
• Shows the ability to communicate clearly and accurately in a fluent and organised manner.

2 3–4 • Limited analysis shown in a response consisting of mainly undeveloped material.

• A modest range of selected points, perhaps some of which are irrelevant or incorrect.
• Ability to convey meaning but with limited powers of expression with some errors in spelling,
punctuation or grammar which impede the flow and hinder communication.

1 1–2 • Some simple, mainly unexplained or undeveloped points or perhaps a very narrow range – with
little interpretation or analysis and little development or exemplification.
• Limited range, dubious choice showing restricted appreciation of key issues.
• Ability to convey meaning but with limited powers of expression with some errors in spelling,
punctuation or grammar which impede the flow and hinder communication.

0 0 • A mark of zero should be awarded for no creditable content.

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Question Answer Marks

1(c) Identify two different examples of the contradictions between the statements made in the film companies’ press 4
releases and those made in the reviews from MouldyPeaches.com.

Road Trip To Nowheresville

• the laughs come thick and fast/hilarious at every step/funniest ending to a film
versus
not quite as funny/several laugh-out-loud moments/laugh on occasion (1)
• top quality physical humour
versus
could see the slapstick humour coming a mile off/ the typical falling in and out of cars. (1)

Voyage To Jupiter’s Moons

• highly original film/innovative director
versus
tried-and-tested science-fiction themes/disasters have all been seen before (1)
• will keep you on the edge of your seat right to the very end/a nail-biting finale
versus
could predict the outcome (a third of the way through). (1)

1(d) State which one piece of the Additional Information is of no relevance when Hansi and Lexa are deciding which 1
film to see.

Point 5 – The local cinema has seen an upsurge in attendance since they instigated ‘half-price Wednesdays’.

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Question Answer Marks

1(e)(i) To what extent do you agree with each of the following statements made by film directors? 2

Justify your responses.

‘Cinema is universal, beyond flags and borders and passports.’ (Alejandro González Iñárritu)

Credit any of the following points or any other valid material.

(I agree) as cinema is about visual imagery, (1) meaning that there are very few language barriers/films can speak to
everyone in the world. (1)

(I do not agree) as films can contain many cultural nuances (1) which might not necessarily be understood worldwide. (1)

1(e)(ii) To what extent do you agree with each of the following statements made by film directors? 2

Justify your responses.

‘Photography is truth. The cinema is truth twenty-four times per second.’ (Jean-Luc Godard)

Credit any of the following points or any other valid material.

(I do not agree). Cinema is not more truthful (1), as both photographs and films can be manipulated/can just show the truth
that a photographer or film director wants you to believe. (1)

(I agree) as multiple images bombarding the viewer can depict more reality (1) than one still image could hope to evoke.
(1)

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Question Answer Marks

2(a) State why elevated positions are regularly selected as ‘holy places’. 1

They make you feel closer to the heavens.

2(b) Describe how the location of the temple that Broughton is going to differs from the first three examples of holy 5
places given.

Credit any 5 of the following points.

It’s low (down) (1),

tucked/ hidden away (1)

and almost invisible until you stumble upon it. (1)

Having followed a path up a rocky bluff / It’s up a rocky bluff, (1)

at the foot of a rocky plateau (1)

there’s a grove of trees. (1)

(Usually hidden away) in a (shady) glade at the edge of a village. (1)

A (magical) combination of landscape, (leafy) trees and terracotta horses. (1)

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Question Answer Marks

2(c)(i) Describe what processes the Narthamalai terracotta animals are currently undergoing. 3

Credit any 3 of the following points:

Once brightly painted, (1)

they are now fading (1)

as lichen grows. (1)

The paint peels off (1)

and they eventually crumble (back into the earth). (1)

2(c)(ii) State what these processes represent. 1

(It’s a symbol of the cycle of) life, death and reincarnation/Nature is always in control. (1)

2(d) State why Broughton finds the Ayyanar temples especially fascinating among the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu. 3

Answer in about 30 words.

Credit any 3 of the following points:

They don’t feature in many guidebooks/little known (to outsiders)/largely unknown (1)

They are humble (1)

and more enigmatic (1)

They exude a natural, (agile and tranquil) serenity (1)

Any relevant content above 30 words will not be credited.

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Question Answer Marks

2(e) State three different contrasts between the characters of Ayyanar and that of Karuppu. 3

Credit any 3 of the following points:

Ayyanar is a benign figure/the good cop. Karuppu is more fearsome/the bad cop (1)

Ayyanar gives the orders. Karuppu executes them (1)

Ayyanar is pure. Karuppu is impure (1)

Ayyanar is vegetarian. Karuppu is not vegetarian. (1)

2(f)(i) In your own words as far as possible, describe the temple images of Ayyanar (lines 37–39). 3

Credit any 3 of the following points:

The majority/They are sculpted from concrete. (1)

They look (fairly) lifelike (1),

are detailed (1)

and are in cheerful colours. (1)

Both men are (normally) portrayed as guiding their horses, (1)

rather than being seated on them. (1)

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Question Answer Marks

2(f)(ii) In your own words as far as possible, explain why the village offerings are made during the annual festivals (lines 3
45–48).

Credit any 3 of the following points:

The temperatures are high now (1),

so farming has finished/the time to carry out farming activities has finished (1)

the ground is (very) dry,(1)

there is not enough water for the cows, (1)

people are finding it hard to cope with the extreme temperatures, (1)

so people are (really) requiring help from Ayyanar/the gods (at this time). (1)

2(g) Explain why Broughton believes the best time to visit these temples is when the annual festivals are not taking 3
place.

Answer in about 30 words.

Credit any 3 of the following points:

They are most magical/tranquil. (1)

Birds coo as monkeys search the horses for offerings. (1)

You might be on your own, (1)

but many horses’ (eyes) silently watch you. (1)

Any relevant content above 30 words will not be credited.

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